How Long Does FedRAMP 20x Take?

FedRAMP 20x takes risk and inefficiency out of the FedRAMP authorization process. With 20x your SaaS can now achieve FedRAMP Low fast, without a sponsor. And that’s great news for your revenue potential. 

But, how long does authorization for FedRAMP 20x take?

Paramify users have been able to submit 20x packages in under 30 days. Here’s what we’ve learned about the 20x timeline, so you can decide if now is the right time for you to take on FedRAMP to open doors to additional revenue. 

FedRAMP 20x Process

First, a quick rundown of the steps to get FedRAMP Low with 20x: 

1. Make sure you qualify (cloud native, find a 3PAO)
2. Implement the KSIs
3. Gather evidence (as automated and machine-readable as possible)
4. Undergo a 3PAO assessment of evidence & KSI implementations. Don’t have one? We can help you find a trusted assessor.
5. Package implementations, evidence, and assessment details into a machine-readable file like OSCAL or JSON.
6. Be prepared to continuously monitor and report

→ Use these 7 RMF strategies to simplify FedRAMP 20x
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The FedRAMP 20x Timeline

So, how long is the process going to take? 

It’s taken less than 30 days for every Paramify user to prepare and submit a FedRAMP 20x package. One user submitted in under 2 weeks. 

These packages have been well received by the PMO. You can check them out for yourself at the links below: 

FedRAMP 20x Submission Links

• Flock Safety
• Transform9
• Paramify 
  

→ Schedule a demo with Paramify to start your 20x process

Timeline Breakdown: 

Step 1: Intake session with Paramify (~45-60 minutes). 

This ultra-quick gap assessment provides a living road-map to meet compliance goals. If you’re already SOC 2 Type 2, you should have ~70% of controls implemented. The roadmap will help you identify and create an efficient implementation plan for the other 30%. 

As Paramify is already FedRAMP High Ready status, we didn’t have a lot of extra implementation to do. If you do and don’t feel ready to take it on yourself, you may want to bring in an advisor to help you move faster. 

→ Find a FedRAMP 20x advisor.

Step 2: Gather Evidence (~2 weeks)

Paramify uses a unified evidence system that minimizes or eliminates duplicate collection efforts. Get CRUD (Create, read, update, delete) access to assessments, assessment cycles, evidence records, and their associated artifacts. 

Step 3: 3PAO Review (~1.5 weeks)

Using Paramify is meant to make your reviews move faster and smoother. Here are some of the benefits 3PAOs have appreciated in our packages. Using the same or similar processes may help your review move quickly as well.

• Validation scripts provided with evidence to many KSIs to show the logic that leads to the result
• A trust center showing lots of narrative detail and a clear timeline of actions. 
• Evidence grouping and evidence viewable in app without added downloads.
  

Step 4: Prepare Submission (~½ week)

After meeting with the 3PAO you may need to make some tweaks to get your package PMO-ready. It’s taken between a day, up to a ½ a week for our users.

20x Timeline Case Studies

Paramify's journey

• Paramify's start date: We signed with our 3PAO, Coalfire, and completed intake on June 16.
• We submitted our package on July 14th.
• Roughly 2 weeks to gather the evidence
• 1.5 weeks to review with 3PAO
• ½ week to prepare the submission and submit
• After 3.5 weeks the PMO put us into the 'in process' status
• Full authorization should come within 3-4 weeks

Flock Safety Process

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FYI: Since 20x is very new, we’re drawing on the experiences we have with Paramify and our users. 

We want you to have the most accurate information on 20x timelines with or without Paramify. No product is the perfect fit for every org, so we know Paramify isn’t always the right fit for every business, so we’ll continue to update this article with alternative timelines as we learn more. 

Is FedRAMP Easier with 20x? 

Great security doesn’t come without effort. But, the government is shaking up the crazy, complex FedRAMP process to remove inefficiencies that unnecessarily slow the process down — all while maintaining high security standards.

The federal government needs access to It’s working and that’s great news for companies that want to have great security and increase revenue.  

Requirements to Qualify for 20x 

Watch the video below or read more about 20x qualifications to decide if this FedRAMP process is a good fit for your business. 

Helpful Resources

• FedRAMP 20x FAQS
• Understanding changes to how CSPs assess and manage vulnerabilities
• FedRAMP 20X Roundtable with FedRAMP Director Pete Waterman
• Join 20x Community Working Groups

How Long is 20x Available? 

While 20x was initially a pilot program, it appears that it’s here to stay. We expect to see other FedRAMP impact levels follow suit in the coming months. 

→ Check out a demo with Paramify to see how you can get a head start on 20x. 

FedRAMP Low Advantages

You may wonder, is FedRAMP Low worth it? The answer will be different for every organization. But, here are 2 big advantages to getting FedRAMP Low with 20x:

1. Access to Federal Marketplace
2. Competitive advantage selling to Federal agencies

Authorization can give you a big leg up in increasing revenue and help you stand out from competing CSPs that don’t have authorization yet. 

Learn more about FedRAMP Low authorization to decide if it’s right for you.

Start Automating FedRAMP Today

We’d love to answer any questions you have about 20x (or other compliance frameworks). Feel free to check out our pricing, watch a video demo, or schedule an in person demo below to see the details of how Paramify’s unique process can help you reach your compliance goals in the fastest, most efficient way possible.  

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